Light-electronic scent release



19.51 E. l. STERN 2,562,960

LIGHT-ELECTRONIC SCENT RELEASE Filed Oct. 15, 1947 s Sheets-Sheet 1 20a 34 iBA t INVENTOR: EMEP l. 5mm.

HIS ATTORNEY.

1951 E. I. STERN LIGHT-ELECTRONIC SCENT RELEASE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 15, 1947 FIG. 4.

INVENTOR. EMEKY L 51-5944 HIS ATTORNEY INVENTOR IQ] W 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 EMERY $115 E. I STERN LIGHT-ELECTRONIC SCENT RELEASE ms ATTORNEY Aug. 7, 1951 Filed Oct. 13, 1947 Patented Aug. 7, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LIGHT-ELECTRONIC SCENT RELEASE Emery I. Stern, Jackson Heights, N. Y. Application October 13, 1947, Serial No. 779,630

2 Claims.

1 This invention relates to scent distribution by light activated electronic means, and is an improvement on my co-pending application for Releasing and Synchronizing Methods and Means for Scents, Ser. No. 561,751, filed November 3, 1944, now abandoned.

My present invention provides different means for scent distribution from those described in my said co-pending application, which means are better adapted in certain conditions and which also do not include said mechanical means and operate directly by simple electronic agencies controlling the starting and stopping of the release of predetermined scents.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel way of releasing and vaporizing scents carried by compressed or liquified gaseous mediums.

Still further objects of this invention will be apparent as the specification of the same proceeds, or will be pointed out therein.

In the drawings forming a Part of this specification and accompanying the same:

Fig. 1 is a diagram showin my method and means for selecting and distributing scents to accompany a motion picture shown in an auditorium, said method using electronic means acted upon by light rays;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view of a portion of a film prepared for said light effects, certain light conducting rods such as transparent plastic, also being shown in section, as indicated on the line 2-2 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a diagram of a modification of my invention, and

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic section showing a scent film and its action on the transparent plastic or like rods, as well as its connection to the picture film which it is to accompany;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detail, on a larger scale, of the selector film used in this modification of my device;

Fig. 6 shows still another modification.

Referring now to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the numeral l0 indicates a light source which is intended to control the selection of the scents accompanying the showing of a motion picture film.

A parabolic mirror I l is arranged for the light source In, so that the rays of said light source will all be thrown in the straight direction indicated in an imaginary manner at I2, and in parallelism with the axis of the parabolic mirror.

At i3 the scent selector film is shown which preferably will cover the width of the openin of the parabolic mirror H, and will travel along the front thereof, that is, in a direction perpendicular to the plane of Fig. 1.

Apertures M are provided in the film l3 (Fig. 2), the rest of the same being entirely opaque. Said apertures are arranged in longitudinal rows on the film I3 covering the whole width thereof, said rows preferably being equidistantly placed, as indicated at l5.

It will be understood that the selector film I: will be operated in synchronism with the picture film, the showing of which is to be accompanied by release of appropriate scents, a. the respective scenes thereof, when such a scent release is desirable.

The synchronous driving of the picture film (not shown) and of the scent control film l3, may be accomplished by various ways, well known to those versed in this art, one of which is described in my co-pending application No. 561,751, now abandoned.

As the scent controlling film l3 passes in front of the opening Ha of the parabolic mirror II, the rows of openings M will pass in registering relation with respective light guiding rods l6, preferably made of a specific plastic material such as methyl methacrylate, well known in this art under the name of Lucite or any other similar material, and when an aperture ll arrives in the registering relation with such a rod, as indicated at Ma and Ilia, a respective light beam in will be guided through the rod and will strike a photo-electric cell relay switch, indicated by the numeral IIa. A plurality of such photo-electric cell relay switches H are arranged in front of the rods l8, each one registering with a respective rod.

The various scents are provided ready for release at the desired moment, in a specific manner, in containers l8.

Obviously, each photo-electric relay switch I! will control one respective scent, but in Fig. l, I show only four containers for four different scents, for the sake of clarity, and larger details in the diagram of said figure.

Obviously, the arrangement for the other relay switches than the four right hand ones shown as connected to the four containers, will be the same with additional containers.

In containers I8 I provide the scents in a novel manner for release and distribution in a theatre or other auditorium, and the scents will be enclosed in the containers dissolved or mixed in a gaseous medium or in a liquified state, under a desired high pressure, and a pipe I8 is provided e) for each container whereby a gaseous medium may escape carrying the scent with it under a desired pressure and with a desired speed, in a highly distributed atomized condition. Of course, normally the containers it are closed and the gas stream, with the atomized scent, can escape through the pipes l9, only when the respective closure valve of the container is opened. The closure valves are generally indicated at 2@, and they: are any usual type, well known: in this art, and operated by an electric solenoid 2i, and it will be seen that when the solenoid 2! is energized, valve will be opened, and the respective scent will be blown through a pipe line.

89 into an air current carrying distribution pipe or duct 22, similarly as has been described in my said co-pending application, and as will be further described hereinafter.

I also insert a regulating valve 29 into the pipe IQ for each scent container 98, whereby the speed and amount of the gas and scent material released upon the opening of the valve 26, may be adjusted.

As has been mentioned, the solenoids 2! normally are inactive, but they are inserted into respective electric circuits controlled by the photo- 'electric relay switches H.

It will be seen that when the photo-electric cell Ila is activated and closes the relay switch, it will close the circuit of the solenoid 2m, thereby opening the valve 200. and releasing the respective scent l8a, which, through the pipe l9a will blow into the scent distributing duct 22.

The photo-electric relay switch I'la' will be closed any time when an aperture H passes in registering relation with a rod lGa, as indicated in Fig. 1, and, in the position of the device there indicated, the scent l8a will be released, blown into the duct 22, which duct is indicated as entering a larger duct 29 through which a diluting and carrier air current will travel, arrows 30, induced by the compressor or blower 3i, or by any other source for the same. This duct 29 is branched oil! in any desired manner in the auditorium and the scent distributed and released at various places thereof in any appropriate manner, as will be understood.

Y An air compressor 32 or othersource of compressed air is provided feeding the tank 33 so that a substantially stationary air stream will blow through the primary scent receiving pipe or duct 22, as indicated by the arrow 34.

, The scent in this manner, will receive a predetermined adjusted dilution with air, and its speed will also be adapted to be so regulated as to be imperceptible for the audience. The air current may be heated, when necessary, also in a predetermined manner. The final mixture of scent carrying gas, and primary and secondary diluting air, will be released, and will act on the respective senses of the audience with entirely identical characteristics as the air present in the auditorium, so as to be practically unnoticeable when the scent is spreading except by the sensory organ.

As will be seen, the motion picture film be run and keenly observed, and the various scenes and their distances in feet, or in time of running, carefully noted, to see when a certain scent will be desirable to m released, and thereby enhance the effect of the respective scene on the audience, whereupon the scent controlling film it will be made, apertures it being provided accordingto the times or distances round. Obviously, the scent controlling it need not be run with identical speed to the picture showing film.

The only factor needed is that they should be run synchronously, while film 93 may be run much slower, which most probably will be better in ac= tual practice.

Any time an aperture it arrives in front of a respective light beam gui rod it, the register= ing photo-electric cell relay switch ll will activate its scent it, which will be distributed in the audience in a substantially unobservable manner, except for the scent, itself, as has been indicated hereinbefore.

In cases where it is necessary, a neutralizing agent may be distributed after every scent, and for such purpose the neutralizing agent, or sev-= eral agents, if needed, will be contained in appropriate containers l8, and will have their own respective apertures It and relay switches ll.

The embodiment of my invention for distributing scents through light beam control, as shown in Fig. 1, has limitations. For every scent another row of apertures must be provided, and, naturally, the width of the control film I3 is limited, therefore the number of scents which may be released through this embodiment of my device also is limited. I

To avoid this drawback I devised another embodiment of my present device wherein a limited width of control film may be sufllcient for quite a large number of scents to be selected therethrough. This embodiment is shown in a diagrammatic manner in Fig. 3.

Here, again, a light source I0 is used in connection with a parabolic reflector ll, producing the light beams or'rays l2, as has been described hereinbefore.

The control or selective film it also is co structed entirely identically to the one described hereinbefore, and rods 58 are arranged in front thereof.

In Fig. 4 I illustrate the operation of the selective control film or tape it, in connection with the picture film 40. The picture film is wound off a reel 40a, by an appropriate means in a projector, as it is well known in this art. A sprocket gear 4| is operated through the film 40, as by the usual perforations along the margin thereof. Through sprocket chain 42 a larger sprocket gear 43 is operated, at a greatly reduced speed, and gear 43 will move, through sprocket gear 44, the scent controlling film or tape it, as will be understood.

In this modification I indicate a light gate 45 through which the film l3 passes, said gate having narrow lateral slots 45a, registering with the rods 56.

As the film I 3 passes with an opening l 311 thereof in registering relation with a respective rod 56, the light beam will be conducted through the rod on a certain photo-electric relay switch,

and also amplifier, 65, will operate the same.

whereby .a respective solenoid 2|, and solenoid valve 20, will also be operated, and the respective scent conducted into the distributing ducts by the pipe l5, similarly as has been described hereinbefore.

In this modification of my invention, I devised means whereby one unit of photo-electric cell and amplifier 65 may control a desired plurality of solenoids 2| and scents III. For this purpose I may use so-called modulated light for operating the photo-electric cells and amplifiers 55, each scent attached to a cell 65 being activated by one type of modulated light and by no other.

The various holes or apertures |3a in one row 01' the control film or tape l3, will throw diiferent modulated lights, and ultimately they will operate different solenoids 2|, but they will always close the same cell and amplifier 65. Obviously, they will release different scents, as desired.

These specifically constructed combination photo-electric cells and amplifier 55, well known to those versed in this art,-are placed in front of rods 56 registering with the same and producing respective amplified currents when a transparent portion of the film l3 passes a rod 55.

The currents so produced will be used in specific selector circuits to operate respective scent releasing valves.

Taking, as an example, rod 55a, the current produced by its photo-electric cell relay switch and amplifier 65a will feed circuits connected into an outgoing line 85 and into return line 51, respectively. Three such circuits, generally indicated by the numeral 55, are shown, but, obviously, different, desired and possible, numbers may be used, and into each a filter device 59 is inserted, as well as a relay '10. The filter devices 59 are well known in this art, and it will be understood that they will permit only the passing of an electric impulse produced by a light beam of predetermined frequency.

In one method to produce light beams answering in frequency to the various filters 69, I employ specific transparent portions 41 (Fig. 5) in the opaque control film II. These portions will be elongated and will have a predetermined number of opaque transverse lines 48 therethrough set in a predetermined closeness.

' It will be seen that when such a portion passes in front of a light beam l2, the beam will have a fluctuation answering to the pattern of the window 41, and such a modulated light will operate on the cell and amplifier 65 and the current so produced will be adapted to pass through a certain filter 59 only and operate only the solenoid 2| corresponding to its circuit.

In this manner almost any desired number of solenoid valves, respectively scents, may be operated through one cell and amplifier 55 and therethrough a restricted width of the control film or tape l3, and correspondingly restricted number 01' cells 65, may be sufiicient to operate a great number of solenoids 2|, and scents controlled by them, as will be understood.

The scent distributing valves 20 are operated by the solenoids 2| which are fed by a source of current 1| through the main lines 12 and 13. The respective solenoid circuits are generally indicated by the numerals 14, and they normally are open, as they include a switch device having a stationary pole 15 and resilient companion contact 16, normallyspaced apart. When a relay 15 is energized, it will pull the resilient contact 15 to the stationary pole and thereby close the respective solenoid circuit.

Any modulated light when passing through the Lucite rods 55 and photo-electric cells and amplifiers 55, will result in a current of a specific frequency, so that a number of various currents may be produced with each photo-electric cell and amplifier 65, but the selective filters 65 will allow only one respective current to pass therethrough and energize a respective circuit 55, whereby the respective switch 15, 16 will be closed, the corresponding valve 20 opened, releasing the scent which, in this manner, was desired to be released by the current produced by the respective modulated light.

As has been indicated in Fig. 2, and now shown for modulated light in Fig. 5, the apertures I4, respectively 41, may be made elongated and their length will then determine the length of time for which a certain scent is being released.

It also will be seen that the next photo-electric cell and amplifier 65b will also have three electric circuits 65b for three further scents. It may have a separate outgoing wire 65b, but all cells may have a common return 61.

In Fig. 6 I show still another modification of my invention, and in this case I use a preliminary light source 50 and a second selector light source 5|, each having its respective parabolic reflector 50a and 5|a.

A rather broad film or tape 52 passes in front of both parabolic reflectors, its narrower right hand portion 53 operating with the light source 50, and the left hand wider portion 54 operating with the reflector 5|a.

Light conductive rods 55 are arranged in connection with the light source 50, and rods 55 cooperate with the light source 5|. The film or tape portions 53, 54 are opaque, like in the earlier embodiment, and appropriate transparent portions or holes are provided in the tape or film portions as in the earlier embodiment (Fig. 2) cooperating with the respective rods 55, 55.

Photo-electric relay switch cells 51 are placed in registering relation with the rods 55 and are connected to oscillators 58 from which the circuit continues through conductors 55, united in a main conductor 60, and in conductors 5|, all said conductors being connected into an amplifier and mixer device 62, well known in this art, and the details of which, therefore, are not shown, and the currents produced by said amplifier will be conducted into the selector light source proper 5|, as by the line 53, and will return from the same as by the line 64.

Now the multiple selective operation of this embodiment of my device is as follows:

When an appropriate transparent portion or hole of the film or tape portion 53 registers with a rod 55, it will close the respective relay switch 51 starting the corresponding oscillator 55. The oscillators for the various rods 55 produce currents of various predetermined frequencies, and the current generated by the respective oscillator 58 will be amplified by the amplifier 52, and such amplified current will energize the selective light source proper 5 l, as will be obvious. In this manner a modulated light of a great variety of frequencies may be produced at the source 5|.

These modulated lights will be used for currents of predetermined frequencies, each operating a certain scent, in an entirely identical manner as in the modification of Fig. 3.

The respective lower left hand portion of Fig. 6 indicates this arrangement and in said portion the respective numerals indicate the same parts as in Fig. 3.

The arrangement in the diagram oi. Fig. 6 difl'ers only in that while here also three circuits a 7 68 are shown for a selected cell and amplifier 66a, it is indicated that an indefinite number of circuits 66 may be fedfrom one cell 66, which, however, was understod with reference to the modification of Fig. 3, indeed, definitely stated, there too.

.In the diagram of Fig. 6, also, no common return wire 61 is indicated for all the cells 65 as was the case in Fig. 3, this showing here is for the sake of clearness.

What I claim as new and want to protect by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. In a device to accompany the showing of a motion picture film with the release of scents a picture film, an opaque control film, means for moving the control film and picture film in synchronism, said control film having a plurality of spaced light-transmitting openings therein, a

8 i rod in electrical circuit with one 01' said valves whereby when a light transmitting aperture passes a rod, light from said source passes axially through the latter, energizes a photo-electric relay switch and the solenoid-valve in circuit therewith, thus releasing a scent-laden medium from one 01' said containers.

2. The structure of claim 1, in which said lighttransmitting openings arespaced laterally and longitudinaly of said control film, the lateral spacing determining which one of said scentladen mediums is to be released and the longitudinal spacing the time of such release.

EMERY I. STERN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name I Date 1,706,731 Hammond Mar. 26, 1929 1,749,187 Leavell Mar. 4, 1930 1,751,584 Hansell Mar. 25, 1930 2,144,190 Merz Jan. 17, 1939 2,196,166 Bryce Apr. 2, 1940 

